3 Slot Payphone
Ok, now that you are considering the purchase of one, here is a little background.
Three manufacturers were in the US and Canada:
The Gray Manufacturing Company:
- Later became Automatic Electric. Made in Canada and USA, specifically for the independent phone companies, which was eventually bought by GTE (General Telephone Company) Now known as Verizon
This is the second of 2 videos about The 3-Slot Payphone. It shows how all the mechanical and electromechanical parts inside the payphone work. Here is amazing vintage Automatic Electric 3 Slot Payphone that would be perfect for billards rooms, game rooms, pool side, family rooms or anywhere else. The Restoration Process. Dial – Dial has been fully disassembled, cleaned, lubed and timed to ensure years of trouble free service. The number plate has been cleaned and buffed back to its perfect original sheen.
Northern Electric:
- Later became Nortel Networks. Made in Canada, for Bell Canada.
Western Electric:
- Later became Lucent Technologies. Made in the USA, for The Bell System. Now known as ATT
This is a summarized version of the different manufacturers from back in the day.
Three versions are available from all the above manufacturers.
1. Original Classic Black
All are available in black japan, which was the original factory colour. Chrome or black parts change the look and time frame of the payphone. Different signs also make for a statement of the era and times.
2. Full Body Colour
Automatic Electric introduced colours in the mid-1950′s during the Art Deco time frame. They were introduced to blend in and compliment the decor of a business or hotel lobby, along with the intent to add a product to their sales line. All monochrome single shade or the removable parts were changed to chrome for a very dressed up look. Original factory colours and new old stock parts are from that period.
Below is a chart of the available factory colour’s that were offered in 1956.
3. Two Tone
These phones are available in any combination that appeals to you. These are some of the more popular combinations that fit in just about anywhere. I can help with a custom design or signage combination for any colour or look.
- Changing the top sign is easy and the choices are endless
- Sports Teams
- Brands or logos from the past, any decade
- Advertising campaigns, any era
- Manufacturing companies (Ford, Chevrolet, GE, Bell System, etc)
- Farming or rural (Sunkist, Dole, Del Monte, etc)
- Retirement Gifts
- Just for fun!
Repair and Trade In Options
If you have a three slot payphone and it isn’t working properly or at all, consider sending it in for repairs or trade it in.
If you trade it in, depending on the model you have, any condition, here is what to expect:
- Contact me and I will ask that you send a few pictures.
- An honest assessment on what the trade is really worth.
- I pay for the shipping to me as part of the deal. You pay for shipping back to you, at my discounted rate.
- Credit is given on the purchase of a newly refurbished payphone with a full warranty and customer service.
- I box it up and ship it to you. You are happy, I am happy.
If you just would like it repaired without refurbishing the paint:
- Contact me and I will ask that you send a few pictures.
- An honest assessment on what the repairs will consist of and cost.
- You pay for shipping both ways at my discounted rate.
- A full warranty and customer service on the repairs and parts, if they were needed.
- I box it up and ship it to you. You are happy, I am happy.
I really try to make it as easy as possible and turn around is about 10 working days.
Call or email me with the type of payphone you have and what the problem is. I will do my best to help you. Response is prompt and there is no charge. If I can’t help you, I will gladly refer you to someone who can.
Parts are also available if that is all you need, probably for less than what you would pay on ebay and warrantied to work or I will replace it at no charge, shipping included.
Shipping
In the USA – Shipped via Fed Ex – 50.00 flat rate
To Canada – Shipped by the US Postal Service – around 100.00 flat rate
To the UK, Europe, Australia and other Countries – Shipped by the US Postal Service – 140.00 US
UPS is an option if you prefer, just ask.
All phones are insured to their full value and securely packed so they are ready to plug in and use without a problem. As of recently, I have shipped more than 350 payphones without any damage whatsoever, so my system really works and is proven.
Warranties
Three Slot Payphone
Your newly refurbished payphone is under complete warrantee for two full years from the time you receive it. That includes the whole phone with regular everyday use.
Shipping is paid one way if any repairs are needed should anything occur, if we can’t resolve it over the phone and email.
A full refund, minus the original shipping cost, is cheerfully returned to you if you are not happy with the phone within 10 days of receipt, but you must notify me and pay for the return shipping.
Three Slot Payphone
Once the phone arrives here and is in the same original condition when sent to you, your refund will be completed within 3 days via PayPal.
Privacy Policy
Privacy is taken very seriously. I do not sell any information about you or any transactions made. Payment is sent through a secure server to a banking institution in any form you select. I have no access to any info or banking details.
Simply put, I refurbish, service and sell phones, not personal information.
They could be found on nearly every street corner, business, warehouse, manufacturing plant, hotel and stadium, airports, jails …all across North America. Over time they really were everywhere and in constant use. It was a normal part and look of the landscape.
Three slot payphones were taken out of service in the late 1970′s and replaced with ugly box-like single slot units. They were less prone to vandalism and technology was greatly improved.
The three slot payphone look and functionality was virtually unchanged for 65 years. One of the longest runs of use and manufacturing in US history.
Gray 3 Slot Payphone
With today’s designs of everyday use items being very square and boxy, not to mention disposable or non repairable, three slot payphones are appealing to the eye and very Americana. Millions were destroyed by the phone company when replaced by the single slots. They were tossed into Lake Michigan from the side of barges, buried in landfills, loaded onto rail cars bound for Mexico to be melted into car parts and other uses. Many survived that fate and some have ended up here with me.
They used to be the “norm” for communicating when away from home prior to the common use of the cell phones. Phone companies were and have done away completely with pay phones due to the high repair and maintenance costs from vandals. Those that are around are usually in big cities and privately owned, not in the best of conditions. In Canada however, they are still owned and operated by Bell Canada and kept up very well .
People lied, cried, argued, were in love, called for help and conducted business; legal and not so legal at times! It was an easy way for the Fed’s to tap phones and listen to illegal conversations involving organized crime and criminal activity. Times were simpler and not as much bureaucracy was needed to ask for permission. Much history indeed!
3 Slot Payphone For Sale
After years of faithful service and unthinkable abuse, I am bringing them back to their original beauty, look and function……and then some!
All of the payphones are authentic, and completely refurbished top to bottom, inside and out, for another century of service. Take a look at what is available, what is possible and the care that goes into
refurbishing a piece of North American history.